It's no secret that great food and sampling local cuisine is a big motivator to many of us when we choose our next holiday destination. Travel comparison site Globehunters has analysed nine different criteria, including diversity of cuisines available, affordability and restaurants per 10,000 people, to determine the world’s best food cities for 2019. Here we bring you the top 50 cities for food and highlight the dishes you can't miss.

The Silicon Valley of China has really come into its own in the last few years and has turned into a worthy foodie destination thanks to the diversity of options it offers. There's everything from cheap noodles from a hole-in-the-wall joint to high-end dinners. Seafood is a staple in Cantonese cuisine thanks to the region's location by the Pearl River Delta so take a walk down Leyuan Seafood Street where your food is fished straight out of a tank and cooked in front of your eyes.

Mumbai has long been known for its legendary street food. Born out of necessity to feed the city's workforce, thousands of food stall cooks chop, spice, grill and fry to feed the ever-growing population. One of Mumbai's most famous street foods is chaat – a spicy, crispy and tangy dish with fried noodles, pulses, onions, coriander and chillies, seasoned with chaat masala spice mix. Another unmissable treat is vada pav which consists of a deep-fried potato dumpling in a bun (pictured).

Renowned for its well-spiced North African cuisine, Cairo's food is bold and hearty. Expect big flavours in stuffed pitta breads called hawawshi and hamam mahshi – a stuffed pigeon served alongside rice with onions, cinnamon, cumin and nuts. This dish is typically cooked on special occasions and is a real treat. For breakfast, try a hearty fava bean stew known as ful medames.

An underrated foodie destination, Antalya's food scene has a lot to offer. A mix of excellent seafood, amazing grilled meats and influences from both North Africa and the Middle East, Antalya's food will leave you utterly satisfied. The Turkish also have a serious sweet tooth with sugary treats filling the markets. Don't miss out on the fried and syrup-soaked halka tatlisi and Turkish delight, locally known as lokum.

Penang Island in Malaysia is on many foodie travellers' radar as its rich and varied history has brought together incredible flavours. From fragrant rice dishes cooked in coconut milk and tangy meat and seafood broths, to tandoori chicken and satay, there's something for everyone here. An absolute must-try is lok lok – meats and vegetables are skewered then dipped into hot boiling water to cook and eaten with one of the three dipping sauces – chilli sauce, sweet sauce or spicy peanut sauce.

Built on more than a hundred small islands, Venice will please any foodie. The trick is to step off the main streets and look past pizza and pasta on the menu. Due to Venice’s unique lagoon location and the Adriatic Sea on the city’s doorstep, Venetian cuisine is rich with seafood. Enjoy with a bellini – a cocktail of prosecco and peach purée that originates from this city. Read our guide to Venice to discover the best places to eat.

A top family holiday destination, Orlando's food scene isn't just about theme park eats and family-friendly joints. Upscale fine dining destinations are complemented by a slew of food trucks and hole-in-the-wall places serving a diverse range of cuisines. Top spots include the intimate ramen joint Domu, Michelin-starred Kadence and Southern-inspired plates at Hamilton's Kitchen.

Many popular Vietnamese dishes like phð (noodle soup) and bún chà (noodle salad, pictured) can be traced back to northern Vietnam and it's still believed by locals that you'll find the best versions of both of these dishes in Hanoi. Another must-try is chà cá lã vong, grilled fish that's first cooked in banana leaves and then cooked for a second time at the table in a skillet full of green onions and dill. It's eaten with vermicelli noodles, peanuts and fish sauce.

The dining options are plentiful in Istanbul but there's only one thing you really need to try in this legendary city where east meets west – a fresh fish sandwich called balik ekmek. At noon a cluster of fishermen cook their catch of the day right on the deck near the Galata Bridge. The charcoal-grilled fish is served in a piece of crusty bread with salad, onions and a generous squeeze of lemon – all you need for a filling lunch.

A great place to get a taste of China, Beijing's cuisine brings together the top dishes and ingredients in the country thanks to the city's long history as the home of the emperor. Generous with the use of aromatics like garlic and chilli, dishes are bursting with layers of flavour. Beijing's most famous dish is peking duck but there are many other culinary delights you should add to your must-eat list, like steamed dumplings, spicy crayfish and many different golden-toasted flatbreads and pastries sold from street food carts.

There really isn't much you can't get in this dazzling city. From high-end restaurants to an endless stream of street food stalls and carts, variety is key in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia's national dish, nasi lemak, is the top meal to have here. The most basic version of the dish is coconut rice with sambal paste (a spicy shrimp paste), fried anchovies, peanuts and a hard-boiled egg. Other versions include serving it with fried chicken (ayam goreng) or chicken rendang on the side.

Any Delhi local will tell you that there are two things that stand out about this city – its rich history and the abundance of sensational food. Dine out in sophisticated restaurants or sample the outstanding street food. Butter chicken, biryani and parathas are all among the best dishes to try. A favourite among Delhiites is chole bhature (pictured) – a hearty Punjabi dish made up of chickpea masala and fried bread, packed with rich, spicy flavours.

Riyadh is famous for having some of the best restaurants in the region and beyond, and when it comes to dining out, the world is your oyster. Top picks include Lusin which serves excellent Armenian food, contemporary Japanese cuisine at Nozomi and Najd Village for traditional Saudi dishes. The Globe offers beautiful views over the city from its location at the top of the Al Faisaliah Hotel, and the menu blends European and Arabic ingredients and flavours.

The range and quality of food available in St Petersburg is constantly increasing with more award-winning restaurants than ever. However, Russian culinary history is fascinating so don't miss a chance to try traditional foods. Give savoury dumplings called pelmeni and sweet dumplings called vareniki a go – they're simple but delicious dishes.

A diverse, vibrant city, Shanghai's atmosphere is very much reflected in its food. Doused in oil, sugar and soy sauce, the street food here is considered among the best in the country. Start with xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), one of the most-loved dishes in the city. Continue with steamed crabs and braised aubergines that have been cooked low and slow in a heady mixture of Shaoxing wine, aromatics and soy sauce, and finish the day with late-night, stir-fried street noodles.

Singapore is synonymous with street food so it's a must-try on a visit to the city-state. Order Hainanese chicken rice, a quintessentially Singaporean dish of poached chicken and seasoned rice that’s available almost anywhere. There's also incredible laksa, chilli crab and roti canai, a flatbread cooked over a grill and served with many curry dishes. Find our full guide to Singapore here.

In Moscow, it's hard to know what to choose when it comes to food. There's countless top chefs serving innovative high-end dishes in grand imperial-era cafés, as well as plentiful places offering nostalgic cheap eats. Moscow is also one of the best places in Europe, outside of Georgia, to feast on Caucasus culinary delights. For a taste of the Russian high life, splash out on sampling different caviars, traditional pickles, and salted and smoked fish at the upscale Beluga restaurant.

No matter what your reason is for visiting the Holy City, you can't miss the abundance of great food on offer here. Influenced by a vast range of cultures, the food has parallels with North African and Mediterranean cuisine as well as many influences from other Middle Eastern countries. Head to the famed Mahane Yehuda Market which has been going since the late 1800s and sample falafel, hummus, olives, halva, vegetable salads, grilled local fish, fabulous breads and the addictive honey filo-dough desserts.

Although Cape Town has long been the favourite in the best South African food city battle, Johannesburg has slowly but surely edged its way towards the top spot. With a plethora of fine-dining restaurants on offer, Joburg also knows how to do laid-back and casual. The city's streets are crammed with enticing Somali and Eritrean cafés, Mozambican piri piri joints and Ghanaian restaurants serving spicy prawns. The return to traditional open-flame cooking has also gained popularity, meaning there's a wealth of steakhouses, Argentinian grills and more traditional South African eateries.

Constantly keeping diners on their toes, Toronto's food scene is ever-changing and evolving. All-star chefs experiment with menus themed around unusual ingredients, while there seems to be new must-eat food truck dish every week. Current trends include wood-fire grilled artisan sausages made from bison, elk or wild boar, farm-to-table eating and creative vegan menus but, who knows, in Toronto all this might change in a day. Discover more about what to do and see in Toronto here.

In the City of Angels you’ll be spoiled for choice – LA is home to some of America's top restaurants, affordable eats and countless food trucks. If you want a snapshot of Los Angeles’ food scene, head to the Grand Central Market and tuck into everything from falafel to pastrami sandwiches.

As Indonesia is made up of more than 17,000 islands, it's no surprise that Jakarta's streets are filled with stalls and cafés selling foods from all over the country. Some of the top things to try include nasi Padang, a collection of different curries with lots of fresh herbs and spices; nasi uduk which is rice cooked in coconut milk and served with deep-fried chicken or tofu with a spicy chilli sauce; and gado gado, fresh salad with a spicy peanut sauce.

There are too many restaurants and dishes to name but if you've only got time for one thing in Miami, make it the Cuban sandwich. A tasty celebration of the strong Cuban influences in Miami, the humble sandwich is filled with ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard, and toasted. There's also an abundance of food trucks, first-rate seafood and superb tacos.

There’s no other place in the world as indulgent as Sin City and that applies to the food here too. There are 12 Michelin-starred restaurants as well as establishments run by some of the world’s best chefs, so you’re in for superb dining. If you’re more of a casual eater, work your way through Las Vegas’ generous offering of tacos, burgers, steaks and grilled sandwiches.

There are two distinct sides to dining in Prague. Come here in winter and you'll find cosy cellar gastropubs and quaint restaurants serving hearty dishes made with tender slow-cooked meats and creamy sauces. In summer, there's alfresco dining everywhere with pub-goers spilling out on the streets and enjoying a taste of the famous Czech beers. In recent years, a greater variety of cuisines are on offer with new Middle Eastern, Asian and vegetarian restaurants popping up across the city.

Hong Kong’s food scene is known for its dim sum (pictured) and roasted meat. When in doubt, order a classic dim sum selection – pork dumplings, barbecue pork buns, shrimp dumplings, rice rolls and egg tarts. Don’t leave the city without indulging in some char siu, which is barbecued pork, trying siu yuk roasted pork belly, and tasting roasted goose with a bowl of fragrant rice or noodles. Read our Hong Kong guide for more tips.

Vibrant Dublin isn't just a destination filled with historical buildings and attractions. The city's food scene is very much focused on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and good cooking. There's plenty of seafood to be enjoyed from Dublin Bay such as traditional smoked Irish trout. Obviously, drink is as much-loved here as food so book yourself on a tour of the Guinness brewery and enjoy a pint of the famous stout. Here's what you need to know to plan a trip to Dublin.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Dubai has been rated as the top destination for the variety of cuisines available. This relatively new city is home to a diverse expat community and the best place to celebrate the flavours of the world, from brilliant street food dishes to sophisticated fine dining and everything in between. If you fancy something more unusual, try camel meat. It's a traditional ingredient in many Emirati dishes. Find out where to eat in Dubai with our guide.

Budapest's dishes are rich, hearty and full of flavour. Many dishes are loaded with sweet or smoked paprika – think goulash, a meaty stew served with potatoes; lecso, a thick vegetable soup with lots of peppers, tomatoes and onions; and chicken paprikash, a creamy paprika-spiced sauce with a stewed chicken leg. Café culture has a long and rich history in Budapest and many spots are beautifully decorated and only serve hot drinks and sweet treats.

From unique fusion dishes to a strong coffee culture only rivalled by Melbourne, Sydney is bursting with great food options. Seafood is obviously much-loved and it doesn't really get fresher than the offering at Sydney Fish Market. Try sushi doughnuts (pictured), a great example of the many influences that have converged in Sydney. There are also fantastic savoury pies, excellent pastries and a wealth of superb burger joints.

In Taipei, food is on sale around the clock with many night markets open until the early hours. If you only try one thing, make it the fluffy, deep-fried milk balls, one of the city’s favourite treats. In the morning, don’t pass up a Taiwanese breakfast of deep-fried dough stick, an egg-stuffed pancake and a wheat cake with egg or beef. For lunch, sample the many varieties of bao (steamed buns) on offer.

A street food lover’s dream destination, Thailand’s second city has been named one of the best places to eat in the world on a number of occasions. When in Chiang Mai, don’t just linger on pad Thai, som tum and green curry – there’s a lot more to enjoy from a seemingly endless supply of food stalls and markets. Try khao soi, a bowl of braised chicken and fried noodles drowned in a coconut curry broth. Other must-try dishes include sai oua, a fried northern Thai sausage, and a pork and ginger curry called gaeng hunglay.

Shun the tourist trap restaurants of Times Square and go in search for the real taste of New York. You’ll find it in the Neapolitan-style pizzerias, bagel shops, burger joints and food trucks serving anything from Belgian waffles to kimchi tacos. For an old-school New York food experience, head over to Coney Island and get a Nathan's hot dog. Read our full guide to the Big Apple for the lowdown on where to eat.

Munich is best known for Oktoberfest and the hearty Bavarian food available across the city. It is doughy, fatty and full of carbs but considering the amount of Bavarian beer you’re likely to drink, it’s necessary. Get a pretzel, stewed sauerkraut and a weisswurst (a thick, white sausage made with veal and bacon) for lunch and when dinner rolls around, tuck into spätzle – little chewy dumplings served with a lot of cheese and crispy onions.

This Italian metropolis offers great variety when it comes to its food. Celebrity chefs like Carlo Cracco and Claudio Sadler lead the city's high-end restaurant scene while modest family-run trattorias are where you'll find hearty and traditional Milanese meals like saffron risotto, polenta and osso buco (braised veal shanks). Milan is also the birthplace of panettone which is baked and sold here throughout the year.

A cheese lover’s paradise, the Netherlands has some great varieties on offer, like edam, gouda, emmental and maasdammer. If you’ve more of a sweet tooth, head to one of Amsterdam's many food trucks or street-side stalls for fresh stroopwafels, fluffy Dutch pancakes called poffertjes and oliebollen – sweet deep-fried doughnuts covered in icing sugar. For more cheese outside of the city, head to the Netherlands' Cheese Valley near Gouda.

Located at the crossroads of many trade routes throughout history, Athens has soaked up influences from all over. Expect to see lots of Turkish-inspired dishes as well as spicy, aromatic street food eats that you can smell before you see. Sold on every street corner for around a Euro, koulouri are sesame seed-covered bread rings ideal for breakfast or as an on-the-go snack. Read our guide to Athens here.

Berlin is a brilliant city break destination that packs sightseeing, shopping and excellent food in one punch. Eat your weight in wursts (there are around 12 sausage varieties), tuck into eisbein (pork knuckles) served with sauerkraut and potatoes, nibble on a fresh pretzel and brace yourself for giant pork schnitzels. And, of course, there's plenty of beer.

With French and Chinese influences on traditional Vietnamese dishes and cooking, Ho Chi Minh City is the best place to get a taste for Vietnam. Come here for the city's famous soup canh chua (typically made with fish from the Mekong River Delta, pineapple, tomatoes and beansprouts in tamarind-flavoured broth) and stay for the abundance of smells and sights of the city's street food scene. It pays off to be adventurous here and just sample whatever looks appetising without even fully knowing what you're eating – you won't be disappointed.

The capital of South Korea is a multi-faceted city where modern skyscrapers meet Buddhist temples and 26 Michelin-starred restaurants exist alongside countless street food markets. Bulgogi (barbecued meat) and kimchi (spicy fermented cabbage) are both a must in Seoul, however, a lesser-known Korean delicacy is sannakji, a kind of octopus sashimi. It’s a dish not for the faint-hearted as the severed tentacles from live, raw seafood have a tendency to wriggle on the plate. You also can't miss out on the sticky, spicy goodness of Korean fried chicken.

Known for its ornate shrines and active street life, Bangkok is often the gateway for further adventures in Southeast Asia from the West. Linger for a while, though, and you’ll discover a fabulous food scene. There are roasted meat and seafood dishes aplenty, plus tom yum, the national soup of Thailand, and som tum, a fresh papaya salad.

An essential experience in Florence is sitting down for a bistecca alla Fiorentina or a Florentine steak – a large t-bone, big enough to feed two, seasoned and grilled medium-rare. Enjoy it with a bottle of chianti, one of the finest Tuscan wines, and finish the meal with gelato. Although gelato is made all across Italy, Florence produces some of the best in the country. For the top eating spots, take a look at our guide to this fabulous city.

It was in the city’s coffee houses where Viennese culture was shaped at the end of the 19th century. Pop in for a cup of Wiener melange – a shot of espresso served in a large cup with steamed milk and froth. It’s best enjoyed with traditional desserts like apple strudel, a chocolate cake with apricot jam called sachertorte (pictured) or Esterházy torte – liqueur-infused buttercream sandwiched between delicate layers of almond or hazelnut meringue, topped with white fondant.

Madrid’s manicured parks, beautiful buildings and excellent museums offer the perfect setting for some of the best nightlife, entertainment and food. Enjoy platters of serrano ham and manchego cheese with a glass of red wine at the San Miguel market. Have churros for breakfast and a calamari baguette (bocadillo de calamares) for lunch. You’ll soon see that good food in Madrid means slow enjoyment and lengthy conversations with plenty of good wine. Find our full guide to the city here.

It’s almost impossible not to eat well in Rome. Obviously, there are countless pasta dishes on offer, including the much-loved carbonara and cacio e pepe (literally cheese and pepper), but you might not know that the Romans also have a penchant for deep-fried food. Places across the city sell morsels of crispy batter filled with the likes of salt cod (baccala), courgette flowers (fiori di zucca), and rice with ragù and mozzarella (supplì). Read our expert's guide to Rome here.

Once you’ve seen Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, it’s time to dive straight into London’s incredible food scene. Eat your way around the world in one of the many street food markets scattered across the city and treat yourself to a gastronomical adventure in an array of exceptional restaurants. If you’re after a more local experience, go to a pub, order a pint and tuck into fish and chips, pie with mash and gravy, or a roast dinner on a Sunday. Read our guide to London to find out the best restaurants.

Thanks to its location on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon’s food scene is rich with seafood. Find a tasca – a small, modest establishment usually with a couple of tables and a very limited menu – and stuff yourself full of sardines, salted cod and octopus, roasted in lashings of olive oil. Finish with a pastel de nata, Portugal’s famous custard tart. Read our Lisbon guide here.

In Barcelona, food always comes first. Order one of the city's most famous dishes, paella, or go for tapas available pretty much anywhere in the Catalan capital and you'll be in for a treat. Be sure to leave room for dessert: crema Catalana is their take on a creme brûlée but it’s still widely disputed whether it originated in France or Catalonia. Get the lowdown on where to eat in our Barcelona guide.

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Tokyo is a food hub with ultra-fresh sushi, warming ramen or soba noodles, and delicious katsu curry. Don't miss the ultimate comfort food that is okonomiyaki: a thick pancake with a batter base and whatever you want in the middle, topped with mayonnaise and barbecue sauce, and grilled on a hot plate on your table. Another highlight is yakitori: head to atmospheric area Omoide Yokocho and sit in any of the tiny establishments to feast on all manner of meat grilled on sticks. Read our Tokyo guide for more ideas on where and what to eat.

Read more: 9 tips for eating well on holiday

In the French capital, start with pastries for breakfast, go for lunch in a typical French brasserie, enjoy macarons, caramels and chocolates in the afternoon, and finish the day with a gourmet dinner at one of the many haute cuisine establishments. Our guide to Paris will tell you everything you need to know about where to eat in this city.

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